About Me

My name is Rose and I am so blessed to be Mami to 2 beautiful daughters that think I am old as dirt :) but love me anyways and I have a lil maltese named Lola or as we lovingly call her "Pudge" Did I mention her greatest aspiration is to be a rotweiler when she grows up :) I love the process of creating, always have, but somewhere along the way art took a backseat to life, Thanks to all the wonderful ladies whos Blogs I have been lucky enough to discover, I have rediscovered the love of art and creating that I had been missing for so long. I love anything and everything beautiful. The older and more tarnished it is the more I love it. I love old lace,vintage sewing items, anything with roses, beautiful hand made items and soo much more, it would take another blog just to list :)

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Wonderful people who follow my blog...

Friday, August 28, 2009

At this moment that Tobey Keith song keeps springing to my mind...you know the one.."How You Like Me Now!!??" Yes I know...but at this moment I am happier than a monkeys butt! I have gone and officially done it...mmmmhhh hmmmm...I have mastered the art of adding blog links to my blog!!! Only took me foreva!!! But hey...all I know is that at this moment in my own special lil way on this beautiful hot! Humid! did I meantion FREAKIN HOT day in So. Cali...I am waltzin around my house doin my version of the "Rump Shaker dance" yup..ahh huh...thats right...I know I gave you a stunning visiual of that a few posts ago...but you know I now have a better one lol!!! Have you seen the movie "The Proposal"? Well in that scene in the woods when Sandra Bullock does her version of the Praising the Gods dance w/the ever so lovely and vivacious Betty White...well...that be me!!!!

So everyone...while I might not always have informative...beautiful posts and pictures...you can honestly say....you will never be bored with all the amazing links I have provided from my tireless searching on all those other blogs...this is a wonderous columnation (is that even a word?) of some of the best blogs out there for your enjoyment....it was hard, hard tedious work, endless hours or perusing ALOT of blogs...hours upon hours of ignoring my poor family...all for you to have some lovelies to look at....YOUR WELCOME :)I know that there are hundreds more...but honestly I wasn't sure #1 how many I could add #2 if I lose these links...I will be heartbroken...cause it was alot of freakin work :) #3 and most important... I was tired and hungry..ENJOY

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

I am all about supporting other blogs, especially after I got my own, the support and friendships that I have made here are amazing...so when someone has a giveaway for their readers...I think that is just great...but when it is such a wonderful blog to begin with, well how can you not share it with others...so I am sharing a blog that I found thru Dawn of The Feathered Nest (btw have you seen her new picture on her header, I think that is what its called, it is gorgeous! I am so glad that she shared this blog, because I might have found it myself somewhere down the line, but this way I get to enjoy it NOW and I am all about instant gratification....Bet you never woulda guessed that huh? (do I hear you smirkin? ) But seriously it is a beautiful blog thru which I have already found other wonderful blogs. I so love when people share such wonderful links on their blogs, as soon as I can master that next herculean (sp?) feat I will be adding them to my side bar too. Dawn already gave me a mini turorial...I just have to work on it :) Patience be not thy (my) name!

Ok...ok...so without further Adieu....Please go and visit the very talented Margaret of The French Bear Blogshe makes the prettiest bears, bunnies and even dolls and not only that but I think her blog is ever so pretty and I just wanna bring all her creations that I have seen so far home with me :) So enough chit chat and hurry on over there because I believe she picks a winner this Friday.

Good luck everyone!!!!! Maybe...Just maybe it's your turn to win a wonderful giveaway and just think...you can then post about bein happier than.....come on you can say it...try it... you might like it....it rolls right off the tongue...Happier than a monkeys butt!!!! ... see I told ya :)(don't know if that helped you but my stars sure made me smile) And remember at least here...it's all about me....Ha!

And now onto my lil bebe studio update... I know it is drama that you have all been faithfully following soooo...My goodness with everyones wonderful comments inspiring me along, I am in and out of the studio, moving things around and then changing my mind and moving them again and again and again...did I mention I think Mr wonderful is feeling not so wonderful :) The picture wall that is on the right side of my studio is really starting to come together, I am sitting here just looking up and smiling...I swear lil things make make me happier than a monkeys butt, maybe that is why Mr wonderful hasn't complained. I seriously believe that seeing me happy... makes him happy...(kinda full of myself huh? I can't help it, he does that for me :) He has been measuring walls, putting up pictures and wall display cabinets then moving them around because I find that I actually like them over there...rather than where I thought I liked them here....(hey I never said I was easy lol) but I am going for a look in my head that makes me happy and like I said what I am seeing so far is making me happier than...you got it...a monkeys butt! (I can just hear everyone reading this and thinking lordy will she ever get this done... I know this cause, I keep askin myself that same question lol. In a couple of days I will post some more pictures of our progress, just busy the next few days getting my youngest ready for school on Monday...Goodness she's starting the 8th grade and my eldest is now in her 2nd week of college...where did the time go??? Makes me wanna weep that I feel I missed so much and then I see what amazing young woman they are becoming and I wanna weep from happiness :) I know...I'm a goob, I am the VP of that club, I will save the Presidential spot for Dawn :) I know she would appreciate that :) I mean come on...I am usually all about me and here I am willing to take second in command....shhh don't let my kids know, we have a rule in this house...it's all about me...(lol don't I wish)

Well, again it is almost 2 am and I need to crash or risk waking up with a swollen face and eyes again...btw...when did that happen? Seems I hit 41 and late nights just aren't what they used to be..I mean...I used to wake up looking good no matter how much I did or didn't sleep! (right..look good, maybe I just didn't look in the mirror as much lol)

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Oh My Stars...that is what keeps going thru my head this whole weekend. Lately things have been up and down around here...one moment I am laughing watching a comedy with my kids, to watching a classic that I used to share with my dad and thinking...I have to call him in the morning and tease him that he missed one of our favorite movies "Kings Go Forth" because he goes to bed so early to make sure he is not one of but THEE first person at the Golf course on the weekend :) and then I realize...wait, I can't call him, not anymore and the saddness seeks into my heart and my bones once again as I sit quietly late, late at night by myself and cry quiet tears because I don't want my family to worry. What is it about quiet tears that... I don't know maybe it is just me...but they hurt lol, my chest and my throat burn and I sometimes get a lil headache...maybe that is why they say to "let it out...you'll feel better... hmmm makes me wonder :) Then I visit my neighbor Renie and her beautiful baby girl who looks like a kewpie baby with huge eyes...did I mention HUGE eyes? this lil girl lights up as soon as she hears my voice and my stars that does my heart good! I will laugh with just the sound of her laughter till my eyes burn with happy tears...go figure :) Babies I think are one of God's greatest medicines (my opinion)

Wait I need to go back, to last week and feeling impending dread cause my mama was leaving for 1 week, I dunno maybe it was losin so many family members and loved ones in such a short time, that I was trying to keep myself from freakin out each time she reminded me of her plans...hmmm who woulda thought that at 41 I would be scared cause my mama was leavin for a few days :) But trust me I was...that and who would I talk to 20 times a day just to say "Hola, whatcha doin?" our usual reply "Nada and you?" lol then we talk for about 20 min about what we did since the last time we talked :) lol Lord the small things that make my day...I must be getting old :) This evenings she called from Mexico to let me know she got there safe and was visiting with family and forgot to call in the morning...did I mention all day I was wondering if it was overkill to call her cell and set up GPS lol...All I can say it is...hearing her voice calmed my heart, made me feel like she was sitting in her living room close by and not a whole county away.

late Friday nite I had the most amazing news... I WON the giveaway by Carole of the beautiful blog Maynard GreenhouseI just couldn't believe it! I won this beautiful magazine called Jeanne d'Arc Living! It looks like such a beautiful magazine....but thats not all, Carole is so generous she is actually sending something that is in the Jeanne d'Arc Living style. To me the magazine was such a sweet and generous gift but then to add anything else well...if you know her blog...then I guess it shouldn't be a surprise :) She loves tiny things too...but not only are they tiny, they are gorgeous and the way she photographs them well...all I can say is I wish she gave picture tutorials :) I am all about the details and she DOESN'T disappoint :) oh hey...that is a post idea for another day....I would love to see all the tiny treaures that make your heart smile :) Look at this gorgeous magazine...even the cover makes you want to sit in a quiet spot for some 'Me" time :)

But as I was saying before I so rudely interrupted my train of thought (I tend to do that ..ALOT) ...I was so excited talking on the phone to my dear friend Dawn of The Feathered Nest, since my best friend and hubby (same person) wasn't home yet, I shared my wonderful news with one of my sweetest friends. You know what was wonderful? Hearing the genuine heart felt happiness in her voice when she congratulated me. She truly is a heart. Tell me how you can not know someone in person...but yet you "know' Them?? Because let me tell you I can talk to her for hours and she is just the most amazing person, she makes me laugh at myself when I need to and she teaches me things that I never knew art wise and when my heart is hurting...she just listens...My stars...that to me is a wonderful friend. We share so many of the same likes and dislikes and I love that she calls me a goober and it doesn't hurt my feelings at t'all because....I know its true lol I mean come on who else but a great friend can laugh with you when you tell them some tiny accomplishment that might seem absurd to most but was MAJOR to you and understand where your coming from? which leads me to my next Oh MY Stars moment lol

Ok everyone ready for this....wait let me take a breath cause I am getting so excited again, that I am starting to get light headed from breathing so fast from the utter excitement ( and yes, thinking of winning Carole's giveaway does that to me too lol) Ok fair warning to EVERYONE out in blog land :)......ready...wait...trying to build up this amazing moment...ready...lol sorry I digress....I just heard Dawn calling me a Goober in my head :) ok here we go...I LEARNED HOW TO BECOME A FOLLOWER FRIDAY!!!! YEAH !!!!!!!!

Ok...wait a minute...gotta stop and...Do the "rump shaker dance"...you know the one that Cameron Diaz did in that first Charlies Angels movie, you know the scene from the Soul Train dance show?? well...lose that visual lol I did the dance alright but as my daughters let me know... my rump didn't shake...but hey I tried :) lol (hmm how can I do squats to get a booty without locking up my knee & blowin it out again? ? anyone have any ideas? cause hey I might be 41 but I would love a firm booty cause well ladies...have you seen my man...nuff said lol )

But really...If you see my lil icon...know that I might be a "new follower" but more than likely I am an "old lurker"...wait that doesn't sound right...but well you get the jist :)

I'm telling you I heard fireworks and band music when I saw that I had actually did it right and officially became a FOLLOWER!! Funny thing is my whole life I was told to do my own thing...not to be a follower, to be true to myself and be different....yeah whatever... I was thrilled to be a FOLLOWER :) sooooo...if you suddenly see this lil icon on your blog....TIS ME :)

Isn't this a gorgeous picture of me??? I know, I know...thats what I said...well that and that at my age I really need to learn a lil modesty :) But hey...at least in this picture I have a cute butt :) lol Actually when I joined my first blog, the lovely Susan's Peanut Petunia....I tried to upload my picture that is on my blog and well lets just say that until I learn to edit pictures...I didn't think you would appreciate seeing my nose and eye and my gorgeously arched eyebrow bahahahaha :) So I got this beautiful lil angel baby from Dawns blog, she shares some of the most beautiful images on her blog for you to create with...I am telling you as my dear friend Don from Tenn. that is now gone used to say "She is GOOD people" In my hearts eye...that means everything :)

Now I want to share something with you that I shared with Carole of Maynard Greenhouse...I trully hope she doesn't think I am nuts...but well maybe I am but...right now I am as my gorgeous lil niece Bella once said..."happier than a monkeys butt" lol Cause ladies, if you've ever seen a monkeys butt it has a rainbow and well...how can you not be happy with a rainbow on your butt? My Stars I guess you can't fight the logic of a 7 year old lolWell dear friends its 2 am here and my sleepy pill is finally kicking in....hope everyones weekend is an "Oh My Stars Weekend" too...

*** Just a lil note I wanted to add...when I wrote this post, that first paragraph wasn't meant to make anyone sad, it was just one sad moment in a weekend of some wonderful moments that I wanted to share...But seeing the beautiful comments that I have gotten, made me understand that there are so many out there that have either gone thru what I went thru or they are going thru it now and understand what I am feeling. I cried when I read your comments...but they were happy tears...these didn't hurt :) but truly I want to thank you from the depts of my heart...you know the sweet part that would share my favorite last piece of Godiva chocolate cheesecake with you...If you have ever had some of this cheesecake heaven...then you know I am must really mean it if I am willing to share it with you :) XOXOXO.......

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Did I mention it's a VERY LONG...LONGPROCESS?Ok, so not sure if you remember my earlier post about my bebe studio(here)that wants to grow up and be just like Dawn's of The Feathered Nest (You can see my inspiration by clicking on her Blog name) Well...I know that I have sooo many posts...as those of you that have been keeping up with my blog can surely attest too :) so to help you find it easier just clik on the bold (here) above. Well Dawn, my sweet wonderful friend, said that I should show pictures of it as it progresses and well...I forgot to show some before pictures of the maddness that I am about to show you... sorry (I love looking at before & after pictures...so this is just for you guys that like them too...your welcome) Like I said in that past post, my Ita (grandma) is having fits for sure :) I figure if she pulls on my toes or worse...my hair while I am sleepin...I can always tell her it was Dawn's idea :) (Dawn if you wake up suddenly, sorry :) Goodness I sound like my kids passin the buck... I guess now I know where they get it from... well nice to know I am passin on somethin worthwhile :)

Does it seem like I am stalling???.......It's cause I am....Is it workin?....NO?...Darn, I thought not...well alrighty then...without further adieu...

Welcome to my present maddness. Now mind you that just like I keep reminding myself that this maddness is just temporary...Look at the date of that last studio post....SMILE...Now in a month or so...remind me that this IS only TEMPORARY...Deal?

This first picture is what you see when you walk in from my livingroom into my Bebe studio....I know...I know...sorry, gives me the chills too...and not in a good way *wink lol All I can say is thank goodness for pocket doors!!! (see that armoire? It is soo neat. I want to replace the stained glass doors with regular glass and vintage curtains (thank goodness I have people) and if you look on the left side of the armoire you can see all those lil shelves... they are moveable and can pull out and the door pulls UP just like on a roll top desk :)

Picture #2 is facing the right, I actually get a whole top of the wall to hang pictures! I am soo excited. We have a 1916 house and well...wall space is practically nill and windows are too abundant :) Wait... I digress...Ok this is my one of my work tables, I will hopefully soon have the computer outta the studio... I know I will hate walking to another room to use it but well...it is takin up VALUABLE space. I love those 2 metal and glass display cases...they are a future project...I am going to paint them a beautiful antique aged bronze with either dark brown or cream colored velvet on the bases. (Did I mention I am the Queen of Unfinished Projects? Well, I am...Hey Mr. wonderful even bought me a banner to prove it...Smile...)

Picture #3 is to the left (what would you do if I didn't point that out? Hey unlike most people...my brain does not come with built in GPS, this is for any others out there like me, I got your back :) That is my Ita's sewing machine, I used to "help" her sew on that when I was lil...I wonder if that is why she was always so tired after we were "done." Hey I would push the treadle for her with my own two lil hands :) She used to make me the prettiest doll clothes, wonder whatever happend to them. That area will be a special space dedicated to her, with all my (our) vintage sewing things. The sewing machine says Princesa sewing machine company, I can't find any info on it :( But it is really gorgeous. You know of everything that I own...that is my most cherished possession. My stars I miss her...

The final picture is the left, back corner...oh my stars did you see? I actually have a lil bit of window peeking thru my stuffs...I might just get some natural sunlight after all and not feel like I am in a cave :) That apothecary chest on the other side of the filing cabinet, the pine colored one...that will be my future doll hospital... or as I call it Doll Central lol Now looking at all this stuff can you see why I keep feeling overwhelmed and always closing those pocket doors to forget what is on the other side? lol I know when it is done I will be beyond thrilled... I want my bebe studio to look like an old mercantile store/art studio/display for my junk (treasure...to those in the know, that's everyone...right?) Have you seen the new VICTORIA Sept/Oct issue? The article called Crown Jewels on page 76-81 is my dream studio style...one can wish....Blog gods, are you listening?

Now, I have a favor for you guys out there in blogland...please, please put in a good word for me with the blog gods....that I get this done in this lifetime, I sure would love to have somewhere to create :) Thank you, I would do the same for all of you wonderful friends in a heartbeat~

I still have to decide...chandelier or pretty ceiling fan...I mean...I know I can always run outside for some air when I start to feel light headed...but my lil chandelier has pink porcelain roses and lots of crystals...never mind...dilemma solved!! ( I have plenty of paper I can make pretty fans with :)

I just realized that my bebe studio looks worse now than in my first post about it lol. Sad thing is... this lil voice keeps telling me to "purge stuff" and in my defense as you can attest to by looking at these pictures...so far I have been pretty darn good at ignoring it!~

Right now the plan is just to get everything where I want it, put things away in a somewhat orderly fashion (hey I told all you that I left comments on your "Where you create" blog party that if my studio was 1 tenth as orderly as yours I would be thrilled...thrilled I tell ya! See I wasn't lyin :) Then once everything is somewhat where it should be, I will start taking storage pieces out and redoing them (painting, cleaning, restaining etc...) then repainting the room, redoing the hardwood floors etc...etc....See their is a master plan, really there is (actually as you more than likely already figured it out by the placement of my things...I am making it up as I go...feel free to borrow this method anytime....your welcome :)

Before I end this post...I thought I would share this little tidbit of truth with you...You know why it takes me sooo long to post something new?....Well it is cause I am ALWAYS visiting everyone else's Gorgeous Blogs and leaving comments (cause I want you guys to feel special too, like I do when I read the lovely comments you all leave me)....See passin the buck...you can borrow that lil bit of knowledge anytime...I told you, I got your back...and you got it...your welcome :)

My stars did you see....I have 26 lovely followers...When did that happen??? I am one lucky duck!

Monday, August 10, 2009

My stars don't you just love "Give Aways"? I sure do and maybe one of these days, I will be one of the lucky ones winning one, but until then I want to tell you about two beautiful blogs that are doing just this.

First is52 Flea. Laura is doing a wonderful "Give Back" don't you just love how that sounds :) Laura has a beautiful blog that once you visit one time, you will keep coming back over and over because of the beauty that she captures in her pictures and her posts. I borrowed one of her pictures to tell you about her "Give Back" because well...Look at the picture... need I say more. One of the neatest things about this give back is that she will shop for your favorite things while she is out treasure hunting herself at the Madison Bouckville Antique Show , if you are the winner!!!

52 Flea 200th Post Give Back!!!

The second Give Away is from Carol of the beautiful blogRaised In Cottonwho is celebrating her 4 year Blogiversary!!. Carol's blog is also gorgeous and my stars wait till you see the pictures of her dream house. While you visit her blog and enjoy the beauty of it, make sure you visit her her store too, she carries some beautiful items including these magazines, 4 issues of which she is giving away to one lucky winner!!

Raised In Cotton 4 Year Blogiversary Give Away!!!

The final wonderful Give Away is from Carole of the beautiful Maynard GreenhouseBlog, celebrating her 100th post!! She is giving away the 3rd issue of Jeanne d'Arc Living, but not only that...She will be joining Laura of 52 Flea treasure hunting at the Madison Bouckville Antique Show where she will be shopping for a few items with a Jeanne d'Arc Living look about them for the winner!! If you haven't been to her beautiful blog, please do. It really is beautiful, she shares her beautiful pictures and lovely posts....I especially love the black and white pictures.

Maynard Greenhouse 100th Post Give Away!!Just make sure to visit each of these beautiful blogs and leave a comment. Click on the large bold blog name...Good Luck Everyone!!!You know it still amazes me that up until a few years ago I didn't know what a blog was...I know...scandalous! One of my girlfriends has had a blog on Zanga for years, I have loved that it was like a journal letting me keep up with what she has been up too and how her family is doing. Less than 2 years ago, I found my first "art blog" and I was hooked, these amazing woman had these little link thingys on their wonderful blogs that just opened up a whole new world for me. I found one amazing woman after another who not only showed their beautiful creations, but they sometimes even shared tutorials, simple how to's and gave ideas for decorating, even redoing furniture, paint techniques and the most amazing thing...they shared their lives with us, through pictures and the written word, they became "friends" who you could just grab your coffee or tea and in your jammies or sweats no matter what time it was...early in the morning or late, late at night, you could just have a wonderful visit and catch up with each other. I am embarrassed to say....well..not really lol that I would often tell Mr. Wonderful..."Oh my friend so and so did this or said that or posted the prettiest picture" or my favorite....You just don't understand hunny, they just so get me, they like the same things I like and they don't think I am nuts cuz I get excited when I find a box full of old buttons, lace, vintage papers or pictures, old baby clothes and practically start jumping up and down from excitement, while trying not to yell "This is my best find EVER!"(well till the next best find)....you get what I'm saying right....see what I mean :) Then these lovely woman do one better and do a "Give Away" or a "Give Back" and the funny thing is that I am the one that feels I should be giving them a gift for sharing their beautiful blogs with me. Funny thing is.....now I can't wait to have a few more posts under my belt so I can do a "Give Back!Until then my dear friends....Rose~

Friday, August 7, 2009

Hi everyone!I wanted to share these pretty chairs that I found and hope to make into something that looks as close to the ones in the picture below as I can. See the pair to the far right...the gold oval backed ones with what looks like embroidery, aren't they beautiful... Well don't get too excited because I wish those are the ones I found (wink)

(I am not sure who's blog I got this beautiful picture from, but if you recognize your beautiful work, please let me know and I will give you full credit. You take amazing pictures. )

Now that you have seen those beauties, and ooohed and ahhh'd like I did...take a look at the not so pretties I found.... I shall call them my Cinderella Chairs, because I hope I can transform them into something beautiful. I have some beautiful material close to what the ones in the picture above have but I have no idea what to do as far as paint techniques :( If anyone has any ideas on how I can make this happen, please, please let me know :)

My mother bought these for me almost a year ago at a thrift store near our house and believe it or not we got these 2 chairs plus the matching small footstool and coffee table for under $80., course that was before the thrift stores started raising their prices to match antique malls and regular stores, what is up with that anyways? I mean don't get me wrong, there are still some good deals and treasures to be found but my $20 sure doesn't seem to get me what it used too. Although in fairness the usual 4 thrift stores I go to still have low prices and amazing sales, the other ones with the prices that either match or seem to be higher than regular stores now, I just don't go to anymore. I mean lets be honest, with the way that things are right now, when I do have a few extra dollars that I can have some "fun" with, I head to those same 4 "treasure stores" I always find some amazing things and spend my mad money ($10-20) at these stores only. I alternate them now where before I used to go every week to all of them and buy what ever I wanted, I now, like many of you have to wait, think it out and sometimes I still hit all 4 but have them hold things at each one so that I can see what everyone has and put my lil $ to it's best use. Tracey Buxton of the blog Notes from A Cottage Industry did a wonderful, eloquent post on just this subject, if you get a chance please clik on the name of her blog that is highlighted, it will take you to her post. Please read it, I sat there and read every single comment on it and you know what.... I agree with every one of these woman.

Oooh I almost forgot I wanted to share some pretties I found at HOME GOODS. In the First picture have a gander at these gorgeous apothecary jars. The second picture is of a pretty 2 drawer little cabinet also in that perfect distressed cream color. Aren't they gorgeous? The apothecary jars come in 3 sizes that I saw and started I believe at $14.99 and the cabinet was $49.00 OUCH...well I can dream, although I would love to do some things in my studio in that same color. My mama bought me some pretty things for my bebe studio, I will show them soon, we are slowly but surely working on it (did y'all just hear my nose hit the wall?)

gorgeous apothecary jar

lovely lil cabinet, isn't the color gorgeous...

And now for a big...

Mia Culpa...I can't believe it has been 2 weeks since my last post....I am kinda disappointed in myself, I always thought that when I was lucky enough to have my own blog that I would be posting every day like some of the other ladies that I so admire. (hanging head in shame...but smiling cause the up note on this is I HAVE A BLOG :)

I promise dear friends that I will be much better at posting, I know how much I love looking at all my favorite blogs and seeing all those great pictures and reading everyones wonderful posts. Until next time.....